Building friendships as a kid is imperative for a fulfulling childhood. These books all feature friendships we love, for kids ages 8-12!
The Good Thieves

“A dazzling tale of wild hope, lingering grief, admirable self-sufficiency, and intergenerational adoration.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Vita tests her own limits, and readers will thrill at her cleverness, tenacity, and close escapes.” —Booklist
“A satisfying adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews

From award-winning author Katherine Rundell comes a fast-paced and utterly thrilling adventure driven by the loyalty and love between a grandfather and his granddaughter.

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Jazzy the Witch in Friend Fiasco
Illustrated by Jessixa Bagley

Jazzy gets competitive with a new girl in this second book in the middle grade graphic novel series about a young witch who struggles to find where she fits best—perfect for fans of The Okay Witch and Hooky!

Mayhem at Misfit Mansion
Illustrated by Kay Davault

A monster girl and her mythical housemates work together with their human friends to save the town from an unexpected new threat in this delightful spooky and sweet graphic novel companion to Misfit Mansion.

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Camp Big Top

Four kids overcome challenges and form a strong friendship while trying to save their circus camp from closing in this new coming-of-age story from Pura Belpré Honor winner Alexandra Diaz.

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The New Norm

A chronically online middle schooler tries to bring his social media fame into his real life in this new middle grade series about surviving cringe both on the internet and IRL!

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Pranks and Prejudice

A big prank becomes a big yikes in this second book in the New Norm middle grade series about surviving the cringe and chaos of middle school both online and IRL.

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Away

A group of children investigate the threat that prompted large-scale evacuations in this powerful and dramatic companion novel to the New York Times bestselling Alone told in multiple POVs.

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Dear Jackie
Illustrated by Aaron Bagley

A middle schooler’s plan to fit in with her new friends by writing herself a fake love letter backfires spectacularly in this funny and all-too-relatable graphic novel perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and the Berrybrook Middle School series.

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Into the Fire

From #1 New York Times bestselling Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants author Ann Brashares and her brother Ben Brashares comes the second book in the action-packed middle grade alternate history thriller trilogy that asks what present-day America would be like if Germany had won World War II.

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Happy & Sad & Everything True

With charm and sincerity reminiscent of Judy Blume and Rebecca Stead, this debut middle grade novel is a heartfelt, hopeful story about a girl finding herself through secretly giving out advice to classmates.

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Mia's Baker's Dozen The Graphic Novel
Illustrated by Glass House Graphics

The bestselling Cupcake Diaries series is now available in graphic novel format! In this adaptation of the sixth book, Mia finds that one more in the mix is always better!

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Westfallen

From #1 New York Times bestselling Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants author Ann Brashares and her brother Ben Brashares comes the first book in a “pulse-pounding” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) middle grade alternate history thriller trilogy that asks what it would be like in present-day America if Germany had won World War II.

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Camp Prodigy
Illustrated by Caroline Palmer

Perfect for fans of Victoria Jamieson and Raina Telgemeier, this heartwarming middle grade graphic novel follows two nonbinary kids who navigate anxiety and identity while having fun and forming friendships at their summer orchestra camp.

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Keeper of the Rend

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Last Magician series comes a heart-wrenching middle grade debut steeped in magical realism about a bird-loving boy who moves to the countryside where he encounters dangerous creatures invading through a rip in the sky.

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The Secret Dead Club

The Baby-Sitters Club meets Stranger Things in this eerie middle grade novel about friendship, fitting in, and the afterlife, following a girl who discovers she’s not the only one at her new school who can see ghosts.

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An Unlikely Pair
Illustrated by Bob Scott and Vicki Scott

Based on the beloved comic strip “Bear with Me” by Bob Scott, this lighthearted odd couple middle grade graphic novel is about a girl and her very best friend: an 800-pound scaredy-bear!

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Not Nothing

In this multigenerational middle grade novel of hope, compassion, and forgiveness from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman that is as timely as it is timeles, a boy who has been assigned to spend his summer volunteering at a senior living facility learns unexpected lessons that change the trajectory of his life.

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Drawing Deena

From the award-winning author of Amina’s Voice and Amina’s Song comes a “nuanced and quietly powerful” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel about a young Pakistani American artist determined to manage her anxiety and forge her own creative path.

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Finally Heard

From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes the sequel to Finally Seen “that tackles tweenhood and technology woes head-on” (School Library Journal, starred review) when Lina tries to navigate social media, only to discover not everything online is what it seems.

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Shipwrecked

Jake, Macon, and Lovie fight to survive at sea in this third high-stakes adventure in the middle grade, New York Times bestselling The Islanders series by Mary Alice Monroe!

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Skandar and the Chaos Trials

Skandar faces his greatest challenge yet in the thrilling third installment of the Skandar series from New York Times bestselling author A.F. Steadman!

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Mid-Air

A tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning middle grade novel in verse from the Newbery Honor–winning author of Genesis Begins Again.

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Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd

This first book in a sparkling middle grade series giving a fresh take on The Baby-Sitters Club follows a young Korean American girl who starts a business with her best friends to support her artistic dreams.

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Biggest Secret Ever!
Illustrated by Anna Abramskaya

In this hilarious follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Worst Broommate Ever, witch-in-training Heidi Heckelbeck struggles to keep a secret. Featuring black-and-white illustrations and doodles throughout and sparkly foil on the cover!

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The Bigfoot Queen

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes the third and final book in the “cheerful” (The New York Times Book Review) and “charming” (People) trilogy about friendship, adventure, and celebrating your true self.

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Worst Love Spell Ever!
Illustrated by Anna Abramskaya

In this hilarious sequel to the New York Times bestseller Worst Broommate Ever, witch-in-training Heidi Heckelbeck wants her crush to notice her. Featuring black-and-white illustrations and doodles throughout and sparkly foil on the cover!

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The Bellwoods Game
Illustrated by Celia Krampien

Perfect for fans of Small Spaces and Doll Bones, this spooky, highly illustrated middle grade novel follows a girl who hopes to fix her outcast status through a game in the haunted woods, only to discover that some legends shouldn’t be played with.
 

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Misfit Mansion
Illustrated by Kay Davault

Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends meets Hilda and the Troll in this spooky and sweet middle grade graphic novel about a monster girl who sneaks out of her foster home and into a human town in search of a forever family but finds more than she bargained for.
 

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Worst Broommate Ever!
Illustrated by Anna Abramskaya

In this hilarious first book in the Middle School and Other Disasters series, witch-in-training Heidi Heckelbeck juggles magical mishaps and everyday mayhem at her new boarding school. Featuring black-and-white illustrations and doodles throughout and sparkly foil on the cover!
 

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The Drama with Doomsdays

Celia must find the classmate at the heart of a Doomsday Prophecy before it’s too late in this second book in the contemporary fantasy middle grade series perfect for fans of the Thirteen Witches and Love Sugar Magic series.
 

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The Cobra's Song

From the author of American as Paneer Pie comes a magical middle grade adventure steeped in Indian folklore following a girl who learns how to find her voice and face her fears, perfect for fans of Aru Shah and Amina’s Song.
 

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Skandar and the Phantom Rider

Skandar’s adventure among the warrior unicorns continues in this spectacular sequel to the instant New York Times and international bestseller Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.
 

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The Palace of Dreams

This third book in the haunting and magical Thirteen Witches series from New York Times bestselling author Jodi Lynn Anderson follows Rosie in her last stand against the Nothing King—perfect for fans of Newbery winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

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Being Baxters

In the fifth book in Karen Kingsbury and Tyler Russell’s beloved series about the Baxter children, when things don’t turn out according to plan, the siblings must stick together and remember who they are.

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Grounded for All Eternity

A group of kids from hell come to Earth on one of the craziest nights of the year—Halloween—in this snarky, witty middle grade adventure about teamwork, friendship, shattering expectations, and understanding the world (or otherworld) around us.

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Repairing the World

A young girl grapples with her grief over a tragic loss with the help of a new perspective from Hebrew school and supportive new friends in this heartfelt middle grade novel about learning to look forward.

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The Mirrorwood

Perfect for fans of the Twisted Tales series and Doll Bones, this thrilling middle grade fantasy follows a girl without a face as she battles a deadly enchanted forest and learns the truth behind her world’s fairy tales.

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The Sea of Always

Perfect for fans of Newbery winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon, the adventurous and utterly relatable second book in the haunting and magical Thirteen Witches series from New York Times bestselling author Jodi Lynn Anderson follows Rosie as she hunts the remaining witches.

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Once Upon a Camel
Illustrated by Eric Rohmann

Perfect for fans of The One and Only Ivan, this exquisite middle grade novel from Newbery Honoree and National Book Award finalist Kathi Appelt follows an old camel out to save two baby kestrel chicks during a massive storm in the Texas desert— filled with over a dozen illustrations by Caldecott winner Eric Rohmann.

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One Kid's Trash

From the acclaimed author of Roll with It and Tune It Out comes a funny and moving middle grade novel about a boy who uses his unusual talent for decoding people’s trash to try to fit in at his new school.

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Long Distance
Illustrated by Whitney Gardner

From the creator of Fake Blood comes another exceptionally charming middle grade graphic novel about friendships both near and far, far away.

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Sara and the Search for Normal

“Readers will appreciate [Sara] as good literary company even as they develop sympathy for her struggles.” —BCCB

In this prequel to the Edgar Award–winning OCDaniel, fan-favorite Sara quests for “normal” and finds something even better along the way.

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Dork Diaries 14

Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever

Nikki Maxwell’s summer is packed with drama in this fourteenth installment of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!

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The Simple Art of Flying

“Delightfully quirky.” —Kirkus Reviews

Perfect for fans of The One and Only Ivan, this irresistible debut novel combines plucky humor and a whole lot of heart in a story about the true meaning of family.

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Friendroid

“[An] unrelentingly funny sc-fi story.” —BCCB (starred review)

Stranger Things meets robots in this sweet and “noteworthy” (Booklist) story about an unlikely friendship between two boys—one human, one android.

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The Bickery Twins and the Phoenix Tear

Nevermoor meets Keeper of the Lost Cities in the second wondrous adventure in the Unmapped Chronicles fantasy series from bestselling author Abi Elphinstone.

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Rosetown

From Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant comes the charming story of nine-year-old Flora Smallwood and the eventful year she spends in the quiet community of Rosetown, Indiana.

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Doll Bones
Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

Discover the Newbery Honor winner Doll Bones, from Holly Black, the cocreator of the Spiderwick Chronicles. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book. A School Library Journal Best Book. A Booklist Editor’s Choice Books for Youth. A Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book. A NYPL “100 Titles for Reading and Sharing.” A People Magazine “Best New Kids Book.” Six starred reviews!
 

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Ice Cream Summer
Illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

Four friends live and work together on a New England apple orchard in this first novel of a brand-new series about the bonds of friendship.

Welcome to the Orchard!

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Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North
Illustrated by Kelly Pousette

The adventures of Duane the polar bear and his arctic friends continue in this charming sequel to the modern-day classic The Very, Very Far North, which Booklist compared to Winnie the Pooh in a starred review.

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Afternoon of the Elves

A Newbery Honor Book
An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Janet Taylor Lisle’s captivating Newbery Honor book explores how, like friendship, magic can emerge when you least expect it—and when you need it most. All you have to do is look deep.

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